# Thomson's Gazelle (*Eudorcas thomsonii*) > Thomson's gazelle (Eudorcas thomsonii) is a small, swift antelope of East Africa's grasslands and savannas, instantly known by the bold black stripe along its flanks. It grazes on short grasses and tender shoots, weighs 15 to 30 kg, and can sprint at up to 80 km/h while making sharp turns to escape cheetahs. Wild gazelles live around 10 to 12 years, and the IUCN lists the species as Near Threatened. - **Category:** Mammal - **Conservation status (IUCN):** Near Threatened - **Range:** Thomson's gazelle in Kenya and Tanzania's Serengeti–Mara and adjacent grasslands; related gazelles across East Africa. - **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/gazelle/ - **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16 ## Scientific classification - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Artiodactyla - **Family:** Bovidae - **Genus:** Eudorcas ## Facts at a glance | Attribute | Value | | --- | --- | | Scientific name | Eudorcas thomsonii | | Diet | Herbivore — short grasses and tender shoots | | Habitat | East African grasslands and savannas | | Lifespan | 10–12 years in the wild | | Weight | 15–30 kg (33–66 lb); males carry longer horns | | Top speed | Up to 80 km/h (50 mph); sharp turns evade cheetahs | | Conservation status | Near Threatened (IUCN) | ## Speed and escaping predators Thomson's gazelle is built for open-country speed, reaching up to 80 km/h in a flat-out sprint. Because it cannot outrun a cheetah over the first hundred metres, its real defence is agility: it zig-zags and cuts at sharp angles that a heavier predator struggles to follow. This constant threat from cheetahs, lions, wild dogs, and hyenas shapes almost everything about how the gazelle lives and moves. Even at rest, herds stay alert and rarely let a predator approach unnoticed. ## Grazing and diet Thomson's gazelles are grazers that feed mainly on short grasses and fresh green shoots. They follow the growth of new grass after rain and often move onto areas that larger grazers such as zebra and wildebeest have already cropped down. This preference for short, nutritious turf lets them extract enough moisture from their food to go long periods without drinking. When grass is scarce they will also browse on low herbs and foliage. ## Range and the great migration The species is closely tied to the grasslands and savannas of East Africa, above all the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. Large numbers travel alongside the wildebeest and zebra of the great migration, exploiting the flush of new grass that follows the herds and the rains. Outside migration, gazelles form loosely structured herds that shift across the plains as grazing conditions change. Males often hold small territories that they mark and defend during the breeding season. ## Stotting behaviour One of the gazelle's most striking habits is stotting, sometimes called pronking, in which it springs stiffly into the air with all four legs held straight. This eye-catching leap is thought to signal to a predator that the gazelle is fit, alert, and not worth chasing. It may also warn the rest of the herd that danger is near. A cheetah that sees strong, energetic stotting will often break off before a chase even begins. ## Reproduction and young Females can breed year-round, though births often peak with the rains when grazing is richest. After a gestation of roughly five to six months a single fawn is born and hidden in tall grass, lying motionless while its mother grazes nearby and returns to nurse. This hiding strategy keeps the vulnerable newborn out of sight of predators during its first weeks. Once strong enough, the fawn joins the herd and must quickly learn to run with the group. ## Why it is Near Threatened Although still numerous, Thomson's gazelle is listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN because its numbers have been falling. Expanding farmland, fences, and settlements break up the open plains it depends on and cut off migration routes. Competition with livestock for grazing and localised hunting add further pressure. Well-managed reserves in the Serengeti and Maasai Mara remain vital strongholds for the species. ## Frequently asked questions ### How fast can a Thomson's gazelle run? A Thomson's gazelle can reach up to 80 km/h in a sprint. Just as important as raw speed is its agility: it makes sharp, sudden turns that help it shake off faster predators such as cheetahs. ### What do Thomson's gazelles eat? They are herbivores that graze mainly on short grasses and tender green shoots. They favour the fresh regrowth that follows rain and grazing by larger animals, and will browse on low herbs when grass is scarce. ### Why do gazelles jump straight up in the air? This stiff-legged leap is called stotting or pronking. It signals to a predator that the gazelle is healthy and hard to catch, and can warn the rest of the herd of danger. Predators often give up when they see strong stotting. ### How big is a Thomson's gazelle? Adults weigh between 15 and 30 kg and stand only about knee-high to a person, roughly 1 m in body length. Males are similar in size to females but carry longer, more strongly ringed horns. ### Where do Thomson's gazelles live? They live on the grasslands and savannas of East Africa, especially the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. Many move with the great migration of wildebeest and zebra, following fresh grass across the plains. ### Are Thomson's gazelles endangered? They are listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN. They remain common in protected areas, but numbers are declining as farmland, fences, and livestock fragment the open plains and block their migration routes. ## Sources - [IUCN Red List — Eudorcas thomsonii.](https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Eudorcas%20thomsonii&searchType=species) - [Animal Diversity Web — Eudorcas thomsonii. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Eudorcas_thomsonii/) --- Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/gazelle/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.